Mexicans beat Brits in breaking world-kissing record

London, Feb 16 (ANI): Mexicans are the new kissing champions, as they have stolen the world kissing record from Britain, after more than 40,000 people turned up to lock lips with their loved ones on Valentine's Day.Around 39,897 people had gathered at the Mexican capital for the group smooch, and took a clear sweep over UK, where a crowd of 32,648 people puckered up in Weston-super-Mare.

"There are 42,225 people on site, but unfortunately you did not all participate in the record," Sky News quoted Carlos Martinez, who verified the event for Guinness World Records, as saying.

The kiss-off was organised by tourist chiefs in Mexico City's Zocalo main square, in a bid to protest at the soaring drug violence in the country, which claimed more than 6,000 lives last year.

According to the organisers, the event also aimed to send a message to a local mayor who tried to ban kissing in the public square.

"We did it! Long live Mexico," said singer Susana Zavaleta, who serenaded the crowd with the classic Mexican ballad "Besame Mucho," or "Kiss Me a Lot".

The half-filled Zocalo was mostly occupied by young couples who embraced and held one another in a lip lock for 10 seconds.

And when the crowds gathered, workers in cupid wings offered hugs, teenage boys carried signs volunteering their kissing services, and couples practised openly in the streets.(ANI)